News on Queer Issues Over the Summer of 2025

종관 박
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Many events and issues have occurred since the presidential election in June, including plentiful academic discussions, political movements, and events from the streets and theaters.

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* This article was written on September 23, 2025. The contained information may differ from the facts on the publication date.

Congress for LGBTQ+ and Queer Studies

On July 11, the Junior Scholars Network of LGBTIQ Research, which has been conducting research for the last six years, launched as an official academic society, hosting the first congress of the Korean Association for LGBTQ+ and Queer Studies (in Korean ). The Society aims to share current research conditions on queer issues in Korea and disseminate research outcomes across various fields, including law, politics, culture, psychology, and health. Despite the surging calls from the hate communities, the congress has finished in a success as an academic forum covering various topics.

In addition, the Korean Queer Research Archive has now been completed, and access is available upon request (Archive page, in Korean ). This once again confirmed that Korea’s queer movement is closely engaged with queer academic activities.

A scene from the Korean Association for LGBTQ+ and Queer Studies Congress. Participants are seated in the lecture hall while panelists and presenters are on stage. A large screen and banner on stage read, in bold black letters on a white background: “Time of Transition: At the Crossroads of LGBTQ+/Queer Studies.” (Source: Korean Association for LGBTQ+ and Queer Studies)

Another event that provides an opportunity to explore the trends in LGBTQ+/queer research in Korea is the LGBTQ+ Human Rights Forum. See LGBT News Korea’s article, “From Research to Activism: Queer Forum.”

Ministry of Gender Equality and Family

There are three major updates from the political arena. The first concerns the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. In June, upon the inauguration of President Lee Jae-myung, the new administrationbegan cabinet appointments and nominated Kang Sun-woo, a member of the National Assembly, as Minister of Gender Equality and Family. Although the ministry is responsible for policies on women, youth, and families, its institutional role in promoting human rightsand gender equality had been significantly weakened under former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who campaigned on the pledge to abolish the ministry altogether. Consequently, civil society groups expressed hopes that the new minister would be someone with a strong vision for human rights and gender equality, including the enactment of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law.

However, nominee Kang Sun-woo maintained a negative stance toward both the anti-discrimination law and the introduction of the non-consensual rape law. Regarding the former, she stated, “As opinions on the issue remain divided, sufficient discussion and social consensus should precede any legislation.” While this may sound neutral on the surface, it merely echoed the long-standing excuse used by politicians to indefinitely delay the passage of the law. She also showed opposition to other key demands from women’s rights and civil society groups, including the introduction of a non-consensual sexual intercourse law, the implementation of comprehensive sex education, and the Civil Union Bill. Following criticism from human rights organizations and amid allegations of abuse of power and other controversies, Kang voluntarily withdrew her nomination.

Her successor, Won Min-Kyong, took a markedly progressive stance. As a nominee, Won clearly expressed her commitment to advancing key gender and human rights agendas, including the enactment of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, the criminalization of non-consensual sexual acts, the decriminalization of sex workers, and the introduction of medical abortion pills. Notably, her advocacy for abortion medication carries particular significance, as it comes six years after the Constitutional Court ruled in 2019 that the criminalization of abortion was unconstitutional—yet both the government and the National Assembly have continued to delay follow-up measures. Declaring her determination “to serve as a bridge between gender-equality advocates and those suffering from gender-based discrimination,” Won was officially appointed Minister and began her term on September 10.

Another notable article of LGBT News Korea’s on the anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-human rights policies of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, and on the solidarity that emerged among marginalized groups in response: Farmers and Queer People: An Unlikely Alliance Sparked by the Impeachment Crisis

Minister Won Min-Kyong responding to questions from lawmakers during her nomination hearings. (Source: Women News)

The Anti-Discrimination Law and The Civil Union Bill

In the National Assembly, efforts have reemerged to advance legislation long advocated by the LGBTQ+ community. Son Sol, a proportional representative of the Progressive Party who assumed office in June, stated that she “can no longer stand by while the Anti-Discrimination law continues to be undermined by misunderstanding and distortion,” and proposed the establishment of a National Assembly Deliberative Committee on the Anti-Discrimination law. As the youngest sitting lawmaker, Son emphasized that although public support for the bill is strong, organized opposition remains powerful; thus, the National Assembly should institutionalize a forum for public deliberation to affirm the necessity and public consensus surrounding the legislation.

Survey results published by the Hankyoreh and the Korean Association of Party Studies on September 17 show levels of policy support (in percent) across key issues, listed from top to bottom: expansion of welfare, higher taxes on the wealthy, an increase in the minimum wage, nuclear armament, higher defense cost-sharing, and enactment of the Anti-Discrimination law. Support for the Anti-Discrimination law stood at 12.9% “strongly support,” 51.2% “support,” 20.1% “oppose,” and 15.8% “strongly oppose.” (Source: Hankyoreh)

Son Sol of The Progressive Party speaking at a wooden podium, where a placard reads “We Will Enact the Anti-Discrimination Law. We Propose a National Assembly Deliberative Committee.” The backdrop displays the words and logo of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. (Source: The Progressive Party)

What is the Anti-Discrimination Law? See LGBT News Korea’s article on Korea’s repeated attempts and setbacks in passing such legislation: Still ‘Later’—Even Under the New Lee Jaemyung Administration

Meanwhile, Yong Hyein, a lawmaker from the Basic Income Party, proposed the Civil Union Bill, which would grant marital rights and obligations to relationships not based on blood ties or marriage. In an interview with Women News, Rep. Yong explained her reasoning: “The number of citizens living with companions who are not legal family members—friends, partners, or colleagues—has surpassed 1.2 million. Expanding the traditional notion of family is no longer a matter of choice but a necessity in family policy.”

Rep. Yong Hyein holding an envelope labeled “Bill on Civil Union,” with the National Assembly logo and the Taegeukgi (national flag of Korea) in the background. (Source: Office of Rep. Yong Hyein)

Regional Queer Culture Festivals

Over the past few months, a variety of queer culture festivals have taken place across different regions of Korea. The festivals were held in Daejeon on June 7, Seoul on June 14, Chuncheon on August 30, Incheon on September 6, and Daegu on September 20. As these events were large-scale civic celebrations following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, many participants took to the streets, expressing the emotions and frustrations that had long been suppressed.

At the Daejeon Queer Culture Festival, the Bindle Community Church once again drew attention by displaying the rainbow and transgender pride flags outside its building. According to posts shared by festivalgoers on social media, the church has hung these flags along the parade route every year since the festival’s inception. In a society where anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment from Protestant groups remains widespread, such gestures of welcome have left a lasting impression on many participants.

Meanwhile, in other regions, festivals continued to face obstacles and a lack of cooperation from local governments. In Chuncheon, the city locked the entrance to the festival site to block vehicle access. In Incheon, despite the organizers’ legal notification of assembly, the city government denied permission to use the public plaza and fenced off the stage area. In Daegu, police restricted the use of the traditional festival venue, forcing organizers to find a new location.

Image: Bindle Community Church in Daejeon displaying the rainbow and transgender pride flags outside its building.
https://x.com/ObraDinn05/status/1931256472169779311
Video: Participants waving flags and marching at the Daegu Queer Culture Festival.
https://x.com/queerfes/status/1969363774034333707

The Film 3670

Released on September 3, the film 3670 tells the story of Chul-jun, a young gay North Korean defector who becomes involved in South Korea’s gay community. The title 3670 refers to the phrase “Let’s meet at Jongno 3-ga Station Exit 6 at 7 o’clock.” Director Park Jun-ho explained that he “wanted to make a film where the community itself is the protagonist.” Set in Jongno 3-ga, Seoul’s historic center of the gay community, the film portrays the intertwined experiences of people living at the intersection of marginalized identities—as both defectors and sexual minorities. The film has resonated deeply with audiences for its honest and empathetic depiction of the gay community’s inner lives.